ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2024

Project Advisor

Erin Mayfield

Instructor

Solomon Diamond

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Dartmouth College is currently facing a pivotal challenge in aligning its energy consumption with its ambitious sustainability goals. Presently, the college exceeds its 2025 emission reduction target, emitting 60,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, primarily due to its reliance on grid-purchased electricity and outdated steam-based heating system. Additionally, with the campus's electric demand expected to rise as Dartmouth continues to expand, the need for a sustainable energy solution has never been more critical. Currently, Dartmouth's campus generates merely 2% of its energy needs through on-campus solar installations, highlighting a significant gap in its renewable energy production. This proposal outlines a comprehensive solar PV installation strategy aimed at drastically increasing Dartmouth’s renewable energy output to cover 40% of the campus's energy demand. The project serves dual purposes: to equip Dartmouth's sustainability stakeholders with a blueprint for leveraging solar PV installations towards meeting the college's sustainability benchmarks, and as an entry to the Solar District Cup—a federal initiative fostering solar-plus-storage innovation on university campuses. This project not only aids Dartmouth in advancing towards its sustainability objectives but also could establish a model for similar institutions, emphasizing the significant impact of such initiatives. Our approach involved a conceptual and financial analysis using Aurora Solar software to model solar PV energy production across 14 selected campus buildings. Additionally, the proposal includes the introduction of ground mount and carport systems in parking lots and on the Dartmouth golf course. Financial analysis centered on net present value assessments for each proposed system, augmented by potential federal and state tax incentives as well as inflation rates, and a thorough levelized cost of energy (LCOE) examination to gauge the cost-effectiveness of the generated energy in comparison to Dartmouth’s current provider, Liberty Utility. A detailed development plan was crafted to consider potential environmental and construction-related challenges that might influence the project's timeline or viability. Each site underwent rigorous analysis against state and federal environmental data and local building codes, anticipating the need for additional permitting due to the environmental or construction implications of the solar PV project. Furthermore, a greenhouse gas emission abatement analysis projected that the proposed system could reduce campus emissions by approximately 18%. Explorations into a battery storage solution to harness produced energy for critical infrastructure during outages led to the recommendation of the Battery Box Premium LVL for its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. However, this addition is projected to extend the overall payback period of the project from 8 to 9 years. Although the proposal falls short of its original aim to fulfill 40% of Dartmouth’s energy needs, it demonstrates a significant stride toward renewable energy adoption in rural New Hampshire, covering 18% of the campus's energy demand. While the project may not fully meet Dartmouth's immediate sustainability targets, it offers invaluable insights into the feasibility of large-scale solar PV systems within a university setting. Moreover, this proposal could serve as a critical resource for other organizations, including the Town of Hanover and educational institutions nationwide, in their quest to diminish carbon footprints and foster a more sustainable future.

Download

Restricted

Available to Dartmouth community via local IP address.

Share

COinS